To celebrate you all

I like Giveaways. I like Giving Away.

I like you, my lovely 32 followers. And you, other readers who may have popped over from my other blog - I like you too.

I like the fact that even though my blog isn't that interesting, you still make lovely comments, and make me feel part of this blogosphere community.

I like life (generally)

So to celebrate nothing more than it's 23rd August, that Life is Good, and that I bought two things that I don't need, I offer you a Giveaway.

The first is this jolly bag:

It's a Tesco Bag-for-life bag, in fabric made of recycled plastic bottles. I bought it when I was in the UK to carry my stuff around Summer School, as I'd not taken anything suitable. So it's been used for about 6 weeks. The straps are long enough to go over your shoulder. I have myriad bags, all lovely, and so, while I'm tempted to keep this, I don't need it, and I'm sure other people might like it.

The other is this:

A brilliant book by the brilliant Philippa Gregory. She makes history come alive, writing about the Tudor period in such a way that you can believe you are there. I bought this at Hampton Court Palace, when I was there with the students

(Just look at the Little Darlings...) (actually, altho this includes two of my least favourite children from the entire 5 weeks, it also includes 3 of my favourites, so it's sort of swings and roundabouts.) (I wonder if you can guess which are which...)

Top row, left to right: Susie (my lovely AO assistant) Fahti (Turkish) and Sergey (Russian)

Bottom row, L-R, Maria (Russian), Ezra (Turkish), Antoine (French), Luis (Spanish), Gleb (Russian)

Anyway, back to the Giveaway. I saw the book in the Hampton Court giftshop and leapt upon it with glee. "Another Philippa Gregory!" I yelped, not recognising the cover, or the blurb, and bought it without much ado. When I got home I put it on my shelf with the other PG books..and discovered that I had it in a different cover, and I'd read it so long ago I'd forgotten I'd read it!! Don't worry, this is not a sign that it is bad and unmemorable, but just that I read so many books I forget what I have read...I could give it to someone as a Christmas present, but most readers in my family ate now equipped with Kindles, and those that aren't, well, I'm not sure that this is their cup of tea.

So, I thought of you, my Dear Readers.

All you need do to win either of these, is to make a comment saying which you'd prefer - so I can then do two draws for the two prizes - and (why not have a bit of fun?!) say who you think are my  3 favourite students from the picture above. If the person I draw out is correct, then they'll win a little extra something! You can also guess my least favourite too, if you want, but I may not confirm if you're correct for fear of retribution!

It would be lovely if you wanted to become a follower  but that's not necessary. Comments are though!

I don't know how to provide "buttons" and so forth, but if you put a link to this post from your own blog, to encourage others to join in (and maybe become a follower) that would be lovely. But not necessary either.